Geography ... of Montenegro
The country can be divided geographically into three parts: the Adriatic coast, the relatively flat central part of the country which has two of its largest cities, Podgorica and Niksic, and the mountainous region of the east.
With 295 km of Adriatic coastline, Montenegro’s coastal region enjoys a beautiful Mediterranean climate with dry, warm summers and mild winters. Central and northern regions have a Continental climate, where temperature varies greatly with elevation. Podgorica, lying near sea level in the valley of the central region, is noted for having the warmest July temperatures, averaging 35-40°C. Cetinje, at an elevation of 670m (2,200 ft), has a temperature 5°C lower during the summer months. Cetinje is the old royal capital of Montenegro, with a large number of museums, monasteries and former embassies.
The east of the country contains spectacular mountain ranges where sking is enjoyed in winter. The Tara River Canyon in Durmitor National Park is Europe’s deepest canyon and the second deepest in the world.
The mountains of Montenegro include some of the most rugged terrain in Europe, averaging more than 2,000metres in elevation. One of the country's notable peaks is Bobotov Kuk in the Durmitor mountains, which reaches a height of 2,522 metres (8,274ft).
Podgorica is Montenegro’s state capital and largest city, with the industrial city of Niksic the second largest and also in the central region. This region also contains Skadar Lake National Park and Lovcen National Park.
The Bay of Kotor is regarded as among the ten most beautiful bays in the world and has a number of important towns and areas of historical interest –
Herceg Novi at the mouth of the Bay has a population of 40,000 and is just 30 minutes from both Dubrovnik International Airport and Tivat International Airport. It is an important commercial and administrative centre.
Kotor at the other end of the Bay is an ancient fortified town and is a UNESCO World Heritage site. It is a noted destination for the many cruise ships that visit throughout most of the year.
Tivat has an international airport and the luxury marina development Porto Montenegro and is becoming a major tourist, business and transport centre.
Perast is a beautiful small stone village overlooking the Bay and is a UNESCO World Natural and Historical Heritage site.